Ion separation due to magnetic field penetration into a multispecies plasma - art. no. 115004

The magnetic field, the electron density, and the ion velocities in a multi species plasma conducting a high fast-rising current are determined using s imultaneous spectroscopic measurements. It is found that ion separation occ urs in which a light-ion plasma is pushed ahead while a heavy-ion plasma la gs behind the magnetic piston. We show that most of the momentum imparted b y the magnetic field pressure is taken by the reflected light ions. and mos t of the dissipated magnetic field energy is converted into kinetic energy of these ions, even though their mass is only a small part of the total pla sma mass. Such species separation with implications to the momenta and ener gy partitioning is shown to be of a general nature.